New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-16
AWARDS FOR THE NEW NAVY.
San FRANCISCO GETS ANOTHER CRUISER
GREAT ACTIVITY IN NAVAL MATTREs-TXTENDING

GREAT ACTIVITY NAVAL ih-'Di'"
MAYNARD PLANTS IN THIS CITY AND NORFOLK
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-For several weeks past
Secretary Whitney aud subordnates have been ex-
trsmey busy. The results of their industry were made
public to-day. OF course, the most important one was
the award OF the contracts for the Newark the lnot
cruisers and the two guDboats The PRESIDENTS
decision in favor OF building OF the cruisers In
California course. created surprise and 1t VIII be
received with general satisfaction The difference
between the Francisco bid and the philadelphia DID
in tho same class Insignificant when the amount
involved and the advsabty not TO say the necessity OF
encourag cement in the maintenance OF shipbuildng
plant on the Pacific coast adequate TO any emergency
which may arise were taken into consideration The
award OF the other 9kno cruiser to Cramp Sons on
their bid of $780, 900 which Is based largely on their
designs and to extent notifications OF the
English designs will make possible In many respects
practical comparison Of the merits OF American ana
foreign designs respectively.
Another result OF the recent abors OF Mt whitney and
his assistants was the award the prize OF 900 for
the design for armored cruiser and the APP
pointment OF a board OF officers, OF which Chief Con.
sructor Wilson Is president to Investigate and report as
TO what notifications Of tho design and plans may DO
necessary and bring the cost of the vessel
within the appropriation and to make her more useful
for the purpose in yiew 1t expected that the board
will submit its report within n week IL may DO remem-
bered that the appropriation for two armored vessels
made more than year the total appropriation
excluding armament, beirg S2,500,000 At the same
time an appropriation made of S1,000,000 toward
the armament of the armored vessels the cruisers now
building and the ironclad monitor Miant0nomoh, and
the Secretary OF the Navy authorized to expcnd so
much of that sum might be necessary for the pur-
chase of tools and the building of structures for the
manufacture of said armament or any part thereof The
first important step to carry out that provision was
taken by inviting bids for the supports of three overhead
travelling cranes tne frame OIL one Dnii tb a ce
gunshops at tho Washington Navy Yard. Many months
tenances for the manufacture OF heavy ordnance an
extensive scale will be ready for The bids TO
opened for the materials and articles required by the
Bureau OF Construction for the completion OF the double
Yard. The Chief Constructor In obedience TO the De-
partments orders, has already gwen orders to the
Coinmandant of the New York Navy Yard to proceed
with the work rapidly possible with the materials
hand and immediately upon the receipt OF the rate
the ship. with all possible dispatch The award Tor the
building Of two timber drydocks one at Newfork ana
Norfolk, has been made TO j. l.. simpson ana Coz
II Under the laws which authorize one Of the
arrnored ships built and of the double
monitors to be completed in one or more OF the navy
may be expended improving the plant at such OF the
Navy Yards the Secretary Of tho Navy may direct
he has directed the sum Of $4,000 be expended for
tools and plant at the New York Navy Yard and an
equal sum at The Norfolk yard. -,
Secretary Whitneys Recommending th2t one OF
the lg-kn,t cruisers be awarded 10 the Union Iron
Works, of San Francisco, and President CevelanGs
approval thereof read as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT. Washington, Aug H. 1887.
SIX: mcreEiih submit the paper. showing the result Of
bidding for the construction o. cruisers NOS ana
s. question under bids requiring yonr desis
on Of Hen .ond Be built on o. asar the coast Pacific
the connected herewith IL was further
a,aodon the President Of the United states from the
bdngs for sad contract when the same are opened ana eH
s.G By hin mat ,aa anP9 9 gS contracted Ses at s
,hs authorize the construction Of said vessel elsewhere in
Three form, OF bidding for the ships recently advertised
were permitted aud Invited by he Department OF whGh an
made years the Department has required
definite results to be guaranteed by The contractor results
e 1S'I 's o sIi tie OF machneGy the Poht
liked Mt about ten o.e power 70 each Ton OF mahne
tie Department doubling the requirements Tho
garant the contractor has been IN each case
coupled with severe penalties for failure and adequate pre-
Viii he s.n that an essential fcatnre o. this me,ho1 OF
ng is that tho contractor should b permitted 70
have something 10 say with reference TO nc plan. inc
obtane the merit Of the ship depending upon the
merit % the plan. The contractor IS me- IN
InUat 10 RAISE tho character OF tho ship
The Department the door 20 private enter
u mis- BY allowing more than form Of bid
Gng II om.tA 10 competition II, own pans, ,nLd
invites bidding upon Them but " permits any ahpbulet
thinks they be improved to plans
spOnhibs pecuuiary Tor ther success Inc system hecs
sAry avoids the ruts common with Government WORK Tor
sAny holding ont premiums Tor Improved results IS Tie hlst
cot"n, u tho recent Ie,,ine were much moro exact
Ing previously Imposed Congress n authorizing the
Nos ana prescribed that the
per hour with penalty Of quarter knot OF
failure In speed aud An elu' premium or caca quarter
by the Deplrtm constituted demand
10y cruiser te equal ana probably TIE SUPERIOR o. any mere
responsible Bids permitted to 10 mao in
isi-The Departments plan. o. hu.l and machinery.
2d-The bidders plans ~ hull ani machinery.
81 The Departments o hui ami the bhlers plan OF
m4chinofy - , -,